Ok, here it is...I have had just about every different kind of GT a this point, actually I really think I have had at least one of each. I have always been kind of a John Deere guy, but I hate the price and am starting to love them less...So, I am thinking I want to get one more workhorse. Something with a 3 pt, stout and heavy in case I get one of my other ones stuck and I want it cheap. There is a White 1855 that fits all this but I am guessing it will be gone by the time I actually commit to buying something. So, I am looking for opinions here. I would love to hear any small tid bit of advice and maybe some good arguments for or against a certain brand or model. I am looking for pretty specific recommendations (models not makes) and would like to stay at or under $500ish. Thanks guys.

I have other brands and have heard of the brand wars...but at the end of the day the Case or Ingersoll is always at the top of the heap. Parts are plentiful, and support is right here on the net. There is no proprietary manual and the tractors are rugged and dependable. Decks, Tillers, Log splitters, trailers, vacs, chippers, plows, blades etc...whatever work beckons your call can be done with a Case or Ingersoll tractor.

Others will support their brand of choice I am sure but no one ever says a Case Tractor is Junk. I have a deck from my 73 and iwill fit on my 87...that is just the way they work. The design in the beginning was superior and there was no need to 'rethink' its design or functionality. Same is true for all of the Case Ingersoll implements...

NutCase-> I have to admit that I have always like the look of the 400 series Cases. However, typically the only ones in my price range are either the 200 series or totally beat to snot. How is the 200 series? Do they have the 3 pt option also? Thanks.

The 200 and 400 are powered by the same hydraulic systems. The 200 series is really no slouch when it comes to work. People think there is a massive difference, however reality is a bit different. All the implements for the 400 work on the 200, The biggest difference is 'ride due to larger back wheels' and 'ground power' but even that is narrow...because the 444 and 224 use the same Kohler. So if the real reason you have a tractor is to get work done...the 200 series will not let you down.

Sure, Any brand can do the stuff you most likely need. So, my biggest thing is to have fun, take pride in ownership and make yours the best example of 'original', to many times people try to reinvent the wheel when all they have to to is to put the tractor right back to the way it came and they'd have no more issues. So, having fun with it is the most important factor of all. Take your time don't be in a 'hurry' and you'll end up with a tractor that you can be proud of as well as one that will work all day every day and be very good at it.

Since you have pretty much ruled out John Deeres maybe one of the older Sears tractors or even one of the Craftsman tractors up to the mid 1990s would meet your needs. There are a lot of them around, many new parts are still available, they were equipped with about any engine brand and size you could favor and the attachments are still reasonably priced.

All of the GTs mentioned so far and many other brands are more than capable to be workhorses, fairly easy to maintain and reasonably priced.

Im my opinion, I think Economy/Power King tractors are the best. But, you will not find one for $500 unless its stolen or in terrible shape. Even though I have never had one, I like the Case tractors and they come in at number two on my list. Like NutCASE said, a 200 series would probably be one of the best choices. It all depends on what you want to do with it, for some jobs different tractors will be better.

Instead of looking for a tractor brand that comes with a 3PH, look for the transmission/rear end that fills that bill.The Sundstrand Series 15 with the Peerless rear end is tough to beat, no matter what brand it resides in. The Eaton 11 with it's version of the Peerless is almost as good.

The heart and soul of a tractor is its transmission/rear end. That's what delivers the power to the ground. The paint on the tins is window dressing.